Navigation system for supplementary representation of directional information

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a navigation system for a land vehicle having a measuring arrangement for supplying position, direction and/or distance data, having a data source arrangement for supplying navigation data, having an input arrangement at least for inputting a destination, having a control arrangement at least for determining a route, and having at least one display apparatus for outputting navigation instructions. To free the driver from other actions diverting his attention from the traffic, the control arrangement determines a direction from the calculated position of the land vehicle and a stored position for a prescribed place. The display apparatus additionally displays the direction ascertained by the control arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a navigation system for a land vehicle having ameasuring arrangement for supplying position, direction and/or distancedata, having a data source arrangement for supplying navigation data,having an input arrangement at least for inputting a destination, havinga control arrangement at least for determining a route, and having atleast one display apparatus for outputting navigation instructions.

The navigation system CARiN 520 is known from the leaflet “CARiNNAVIGATION SYSTEM” from Philips Car Systems, 1997. A CD-ROM suppliesdigitally coded navigation instructions to a control arrangement, forexample one designed with a microprocessor. The position data from a GPSsystem (GPS=Global Positioning System) and the direction data from agyrocompass are used by the navigation system to ascertain positioninformation about the location of the vehicle. Once a destination hasbeen input, the navigation system calculates the position of the vehicleand the route to be taken and then takes a driver to this destination bymeans of audio and visual outputs. Such a system enables the driver tohead for a destination which he does not know, without knowledge of theplace and without reading maps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a navigation system whichmakes it possible to free the driver from other actions diverting hisattention from the traffic.

The object is achieved by a navigation system of the type mentioned inthe introduction in that the control arrangement is provided fordetermining a direction from the calculated position of the land vehicleand a stored position for a prescribed location, and the displayapparatus is provided for additionally displaying the directionascertained by the control arrangement.

According to the invention, the navigation system determines thedirection of a prescribed place, and this direction is displayed on thedisplay apparatus. In this context, the control arrangement ascertainsthe position of the vehicle, takes the position of the prescribed placefrom a database, for example, and uses the data to calculate thedirection of the place. The control arrangement could, by way ofexample, calculate the direction of the city of Mecca, and the displayapparatus could display the direction of the city of Mecca in the formof an arrow and explanatory further information. The explanatory furtherinformation could be the legend “Mecca” or a pictorial representation,for example a stylized mosque.

In addition, the navigation system can also output messages atparticular times. By way of example, sunset during the fasting month ofRamadan could be calculated and output. Furthermore, the navigationsystem could also perform a prescribed action at particular times, suchas playing a piece of music.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is explained in more detailbelow with the aid of the FIGURES, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a navigation system for land vehicles.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show illustrations of a display apparatus in thenavigation system.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for ascertaining the direction of a prescribedplace.

It should be understood that the Figures are not to scale. While somedetails of and other plan and section views of the preferred embodimentdepicting the invention have been omitted, such details are notconsidered necessary to a full and complete understanding of theinvention disclosed and claimed herein. It should also be understoodthat the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodimentillustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a navigation system for landvehicles in the form of a block diagram. The navigation system comprisesa control arrangement 1, a measuring arrangement 2, a data sourcearrangement 3, an input arrangement 4 and an output arrangement 5. Byway of example, the control arrangement 1 can comprise a microprocessorwhich, among other things, performs the navigation calculations and iscoupled to at least one read only memory (ROM), for example forexecuting a program, and to a read/write memory (RAM) for storing dataduring operation.

The measuring arrangement 2 supplies data to the control arrangement 1and comprises, by way of example, a tachometer, an electronic compassand a GPS reception unit (GPS=Global Positioning System). The measuringarrangement possibly also comprises wheel sensors which supply directionand distance data to the control arrangement 1 from the left and rightfront or rear wheels of the vehicle. The direction and distance data areotherwise ascertained from the signals output by the tachometer and theelectronic compass. The GPS reception unit uses received satellite datato calculate the present position of the vehicle, and forwards thecalculated position data to the control arrangement 1. These positiondata supplied by the GPS reception unit have an inaccuracy of up to 100meters.

The data source arrangement 3 comprises at least one apparatus forsupplying digitally coded navigation data from a navigation data memoryto the control arrangement 1. This 10 apparatus may, by way of example,be a CD-ROM drive 6 which takes data for a particular region (e.g.,Germany) from a CD-ROM 7 (navigation data memory). In addition, the datasource arrangement 3 can comprise an RDS-TMC receiver 8 (RDS=Radio DataSystem, TMC=Traffic Message Channel) or a GSM module 9 (GSM=GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication), which each receive digitally codedtraffic messages and forward them to the control arrangement 1. Inaddition, the GSM module can also be used to conduct telephoneconversations.

The input arrangement 4 comprises a keypad 10 and possibly a trackball11. A user can enter information manually using the keypad 10 and/or thetrackball 11. In this context, the keypad 10 can also be part of aremote control. The information entered by a user (e.g., driver) of thenavigation system using the input arrangement 4 also is supplied to thecontrol arrangement 1.

The output arrangement 5 has a display apparatus 12 and a voice outputcircuit 13. In addition, the display apparatus 12 is driven by means ofa drive circuit 14, which is likewise contained in the outputarrangement 5. Furthermore, component parts of the voice output circuit13 are, by way of example, a voice synthesis circuit 15, an amplifier 16and a loudspeaker 17.

The control arrangement 1 determines a road or route between at leasttwo points (starting point and destination). Before the journey, theuser (e.g., driver) needs to enter at least the destination using theinput arrangement 4. These entered data are generally also output by theoutput arrangement 5 for the user to check. During the journey, thecontrol arrangement 1 gives the driver audio or visual instructions viathe output arrangement 5. To carry out route planning and give theinstructions, for example, the control arrangement 1 uses varioussoftware modules. The data (position, direction and distance data)supplied by the measuring apparatus 2 and the data supplied by the datasource arrangement 3 are used by the control arrangement 1 to calculatethe respective position of a vehicle at the beginning of and during thejourney using a position finding software module. A further, routeplanning module respectively calculates the route to be traveled to therespective destination using the position output by the position findingsoftware module and the destination. In this context, traffic messagescan also be taken into account, in order, by way of example, to instructthe driver to bypass a traffic jam. A route indication software modulereceives the respective position from the position finding softwaremodule, various route information from the route planning softwaremodule, and possibly also navigation data from the data sourcearrangement 3. The route indication software module generates controldata for voice output and for displaying instructions graphically. It isalso possible to display a map section on the display apparatus 12 withthe respective indication of position.

The control arrangement 1 conducts a menu-controlled dialog with a user.By way of example, a main menu displayed on the display apparatus 12 mayoffer the menu items

1) Enter destination

2) Map

3) Location

4) Settings.

A coordinate input system which is part of the keypad 10 is used, by wayof example, to select a menu item. Such a coordinate input system may,by way of example, comprise four direction keys and a confirmation keyor a trackball. By actuating a direction key, it is possible to change,by way of example, the position of a cursor or of another graphicalsymbol (e.g., bar representation) on the display apparatus 12. If aparticular menu item has been graphically highlighted, for example,using the direction keys, an action is performed once the confirmationkey has been actuated.

At the beginning of a journey, a destination will generally first beentered. When the menu item “Enter destination” has been selected in themain menu, a place name first needs to be entered. To do this, the menuitem “Place” is selected in the submenu “Enter destination”, which, byway of example, comprises the menu items

1) Place

2) Road

3) Delete destination

4) Routing

5) Information on destination

6) Enter destination—map

7) Address book

8) New address

9) Back to main menu.

The display apparatus 12 then displays, by way of example, letters andthe menu items “Cancel”, “Delete”, “Space” (for a space character),“OK”, etc. Using the coordinate input system, the place name is selectedletter by letter. When the user has fully or partly finished enteringthe place name, he selects the menu item “OK”. The control arrangement 1checks whether the place name fully or partly entered by the user can befound unambiguously on the CD-ROM 7. If the place name is not available,the user is notified of this, so that he can enter another name. If theentry is ambiguous, a list of place names is shown on the displayapparatus 12, and the desired place name can be selected from this list.

Once the place name has been selected, a further menu containing lettersand the menu items “Cancel”, “Delete”, “Space” (for a space character),“OK”, etc. is displayed on the display apparatus 12 for selection of aroad name. The road name is entered in the same way as the place name.

If the road name is not known, the destination can be entered in anotherway after the place name has been selected. When the menu item “Enterdestination—map” has been selected, the destination can be entered usinga map displayed on the display apparatus 12. In this context, a cursorshown on the map on a large map scale can first be used to select thedestination area roughly, and the map scale can be reduced step by stepuntil the desired destination has been found.

Once the place name has been selected, the destination can also beentered using a list which indicates particular destination categories.In the submenu “Enter destination”, the menu item “Information ondestination” then needs to be selected. Once this menu item has beenselected, a list containing various categories is shown on the displayapparatus 12. These may be, by way of example: hotels, restaurants,sights, car parks, filling stations, railroad stations or museums. Oncea category has been selected, a further list containing variousselection options within the category is shown. In the category“Hotels”, for example, a particular hotel representing the destinationcan be selected.

In addition, there is the option of using an address book, in whichpersonal destinations are stored, by selecting the menu item “Addressbook”. A new destination can be entered using the menu item “Newaddress”. Entry for the address book proceeds as described above forentry of the place name and the road name.

A place name and road name which have been entered, for example, as adestination are deleted using the menu item “Delete destination”. Forthe control arrangement 1 to be able to perform route planning when thedestination has been entered, the user needs to select the menu item“Routing”. The display apparatus 12 then changes to the submenu“Routing”, which offers various display modes (e.g., map display). Usingthe selected display mode, navigation instructions intended tocomplement the voice instructions are then given to the driver duringthe journey.

FIG. 2 shows an illustration of a display mode on the display apparatus12 during the journey to the selected destination (routing). In thepicture shown in FIG. 2, various information is presented to the driverin various areas of the picture. In a central area 18 of the picture,the direction of travel is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 2, anintersection with an arrow bending off to the left is shown. In the toppart of the picture, a distance (200 m) is depicted in an area 19 on theleft, and a destination (Kilian Street) is depicted in an area 20situated next to that on the right. In a bottom area 21 of the picture,the present position (Erlanger Street) is shown. In an area 22 on theright of the picture, the distance to the destination (12 km) is shownby an arrow indicating the direction of the destination. Two furtherareas 23 and 24 below that contain the legends or menu items “End” and“Map”. Selecting the menu item “End” returns to the main menu, forexample. If the menu item “Map” is selected, the map display mode isretrieved. Thus, the example picture on the display apparatus 12 in FIG.2 informs the driver that he is on Erlanger Street and needs to turnleft into Kilian Street after 200 m to arrive at his destination after12 km.

Other menu items (map, location, settings), not explained in more detailhere, can be chosen from the main menu. When such a menu item has beencalled, a further submenu is displayed.

According to the invention, the navigation system can also be used todisplay particular directions for selected places. This may also belinked to messages at prescribed times. By way of example, duringrouting, the display apparatus 12 may also contain an indication of thedirection to the city of Mecca for Muslims.

FIG. 3 shows another illustration of a display mode on the displayapparatus 12 with a direction for the city of Mecca during routing.Besides the picture areas 18 to 24 explained above with reference toFIG. 2, the picture shown in FIG. 3 contains a direction for the city ofMecca in an area 25 on the left of the picture. This direction containsan arrow, pointing in the direction of the city of Mecca, and the nameMecca. It is also possible to display a stylized mosque or other symbolsfor the city of Mecca as the name itself in the area 25. Below this area25 is another area 26, which contains the legend or the menu item“Options”. If this menu item is selected, a submenu is displayed.

To provide an additional direction instruction, the route indicationsoftware module contains an extension. This module extension can beexplained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. A block 27 (Dir) receivesinformation about the position of the vehicle from the a positionfinding module. This is indicated by a block 28 (Pos). The block 27receives position information about the city of Mecca from a databaselocated on the CD-ROM 7, for example. This is indicated by a block 29(DB). The block 27 uses the position information to calculate thedirection of the city of Mecca in relation to the longitudinal axis ofthe vehicle. The direction resulting from this calculation is processedfor display purposes by a module 30 (Displ).

The direction information for the city of Mecca may also be linked to atime function. In the submenu “Options”, the driver can specify times ofday, for example, at which he will receive a message requesting him tostop. This message could be indicated audibly and visually, for examplebelow the direction in area 25. In addition, the submenu “Options” canalso contain a selection of music titles which are played from a CDduring a stop. Furthermore, a menu item “Ramadan” may also be included.After retrieving this menu item, the driver enters the beginning or theend of the fasting month of Ramadan. The navigation system then uses theposition indicated for the vehicle to ascertain sunrise and sunsetduring the fasting month of Ramadan. This can then again be indicatedaudibly and visually.

Although reference has been made, for the purpose of explanation, to apreferred embodiment: of a navigation system for additionally displayingdirection information, it should be understood that any of a variety ofcomponents and suitable materials of construction may be used to satisfythe particular needs and requirements of the end user. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variationscan be made in the design and construction of the navigation systemwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Otherembodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A navigation system for a land vehicle having ameasuring arrangement for supplying position, direction and/or distancedata, having a data source arrangement for supplying navigation datacomprising map and/or road data, having an input arrangement at leastfor inputting a destination and a further prescribed place, having acontrol arrangement at least for determining a route to be followedbased on a sequence of roads between a starting point and thedestination, and having at least one display apparatus for outputtingnavigation instructions based on the route to be followed to thedestination, wherein the control arrangement is provided for alsodetermining a direction from a present calculated position of the landvehicle to the position for the further prescribed place, and whereinthe display apparatus is adapted to simultaneously display the directionascertained by the control arrangement to the further prescribed placeand at least a portion of the navigation instructions for the route tobe followed to the destination.
 2. The navigation system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the control arrangement is provided for determining thedirection from a present calculated position of the land vehicle to acity inputted as the further prescribed place, and the display apparatusis provided for displaying the direction to the city in the form of anarrow and explanatory further information.
 3. The navigation system asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the city is the city of Mecca.
 4. Thenavigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control arrangementis provided for producing messages or for performing prescribed actionsat chosen times and the display apparatus is provided for displaying themessages.
 5. A navigation system for a land vehicle having a measuringarrangement for supplying position, direction and/or distance data,having a data source arrangement for supplying navigation datacomprising map and/or road data, having an input arrangement at leastfor inputting a destination and a further prescribed place, having acontrol arrangement at least for determining a route to be followedbased on a sequence of roads between a starting point and thedestination, and having an output arrangement for outputting audio orvisual navigation instructions for the route to be followed to thedestination, wherein the output arrangement comprises at least onedisplay arrangement, wherein the control arrangement is provided foralso determining a direction from a present calculated position of theland vehicle to the position for the further prescribed place, andwherein the display arrangement is adapted to simultaneously display thedirection ascertained by the control arrangement to the furtherprescribed place and at least a portion of the audio or visualnavigation instructions for the route to be followed to the destination.6. The navigation system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the controlarrangement is provided for determining the direction from a presentcalculated position of the land vehicle to a city inputted as thefurther prescribed place, and the display arrangement is provided fordisplaying the direction to the city in the form of an arrow andexplanatory further information.
 7. The navigation system as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the city is the city of Mecca.
 8. The navigation systemas claimed in claim 5, wherein the control arrangement is provided forproducing messages or for performing prescribed actions at chosen timesand the display arrangement is provided for displaying the messages. 9.A navigation system for a land vehicle having a measuring arrangementfor supplying position, direction and/or distance data, having a datasource arrangement for supplying navigation data comprising map and/orroad data, having an input arrangement at least for inputting adestination and a further prescribed place, having a control arrangementat least for determining a route to be followed based on a sequence ofroads between a starting point and the destination, and having at leastone display apparatus for outputting navigation instructions based onthe route to be followed to the destination, wherein the controlarrangement is provided for also determining a direction from a presentcalculated position of the land vehicle to the position for the furtherprescribed place, and wherein the display apparatus has multiple displayareas and is adapted to simultaneously display at least a presentdirection of travel in one display area, the destination in a seconddisplay area, and the direction ascertained by the control arrangementto the further prescribed place in a third display area.
 10. Thenavigation system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control arrangementis provided for determining the direction from a present calculatedposition of the land vehicle to a city inputted as the furtherprescribed place and the display apparatus is provided for displayingthe direction to the city in the form of at least an arrow.
 11. Thenavigation system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the city is the cityof Mecca.
 12. The navigation system as claimed in claim 9, wherein thecontrol arrangement is provided for producing messages or for performingprescribed actions at chosen times and the display apparatus is providedfor displaying the messages.